Hiram k



(No Model.)

H4 K. WHITNER.

RAILWAY SWITCH.

No. 394,744. Patented Dem-18,1888.

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Invert Z07 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HIRAM K. IVHITNER, OF NE\V YORK, N. Y.

RAILWAY-SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 394,744, dated December 18, 1888.

Application filed June 16, 1888. Serial No. 277,322. (No model.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HIRAM K. \VHITNER, of New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Railway-Switches, of which the following is a specification.

I will describe a railway-switch embodying my improvement in. detail, and then point out the novel features in claim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan or top view of a railway-switch embodying my improvement. Fig. 2 is a transverse section thereof, taken on the plane of the line 00 J7, Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts in both the figures.

A A designate the switch-points. These switch-points may be of the usual construction to operate in conjunction with rails B B. The switch-points are connected together by a switch-rod, In the example of my improvement shown the switch-rod is operated by a motion-plate, fl). In this motionplate an approximately ogee-shaped slot, (Z, is employed, extending-in the direction of the length of the plate. Into this slot extends a pin or projection, (1, from the switch-rod C.

E designates a rod connected to the motionplate I) and extending to swiinch-operating mechanism, (not shown in the drawings) by which longitudinal motion is imparted to the motion-plate D. It will be readily seen that as the motion-plate is moved longitudinally the pin (1 is caused to follow the slot 1'), whereby the switch-rod C is caused to move in a direction at right angles to the track, and the s\\"iich-points will be shifted from one side to the other, according to the direction in which the motion-plate is moved. Heretot'ore motion-plates employed in the operation of switch-points have been provided with slots comprising two straight portions extendingin the direction of the length of the motion-plate and another straight portion extending between the two just mentioned, but at an angle, whereby sharp angles were formed at the junctions of the several portions of the slot. Great, difficulty has been experienced in causing the movement of the motion-plate, and consequently of the switchpoints, at that point in the motion of the motion-plate wherein the pin or projection on the switch-rod turns these angles, this being the initial movement imparted to the switchpoints. For the purpose of overcoming this difficulty and occasioning an even and easy movement of the switch-points, I- make the slot in the motion-plate approximately ogeeshapedthat is to say, the junctions of the several portions of the slots are made curved or rounding, as shown. I also employ rollers (l. These rollers are journaled in brackets F, which brackets are secured to a railroad-tie in such position that when the switch has been moved into one of its extreme positions, one of the switch-1:)ointsas,forinstance, the switch-point A,will rest upon the top of its adjacent roller (1, while the switch-pointA will be between its adjacent roller d and its adjacent portion of the track B. hen in this position, it will be seen that the roller (Z adjacent to the switch-point A will operate to largely prevent accidental displacement of the switch-points. In this position also, as before stated, the switch-point A is resting upon the top of its adjacent roller cl. If, now, it is desired to shift the switch-points into their other extreme position-as, for instance, the position the opposite of that shown the switch-point A will of course be moved toward the rail B, and the switch-point A will ride up onto the roller (Z a-(ljacent to it. This motion will have been accomplished before the motion-plate 1) shall have been moved far enough in one direction to cause the switchpoiuts to reach a point about midway in their side-to-side movement. After. passing that point, the switch-points A A will, have passed the center of their movement and of the rollers d, and will consequently be assisted in their movement toward the rail B by their descent upon the curved surfaces of the rollers (Z. This assistance which the rollers offer to the movement of the switch-points in either direction is sufficient to enable the motionplate D to be moved easily far enough in either direction to carry the pin a out of the curved or angularlyextending portion of the slot.

It will also be seen that by my improvement when the switch-points are being shifted from one position to another, and are riding upon the rollers, that they are elevated above the ties of the track, and consequently the the movement of the switch-points with the peculiar mechanism for operating the switch points which I have illustrated, as the same is equally applicable to other devices for moving the switch-points where the strain experienced is greatest when the switch-points are at or near midway in their side-to-side traverse.

By my improvement I am enabled to use the nui tion-plate for operating the switchpoints-sueh, for instance, as I have illustrated, havin a much sharper curve or angle 1 tially as speeitiml.

than can be employed in'the usual form of such motion-plates. This is advantageous, because it shortens the length of the motionrapid shifting of the switch-points.

In my description I have n'iore )articularly described the movement of the switclepoints from the rail ll to the rail 1 but of course it is to be understood that the operation is the, same in whichever direction the switch-points are moved.

\Yhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a railway-switeh, the eombinatiml, with switclroperating mechanism, of switeh-p(')ints and rollers with which the switch-points will contact and over which they will pass when being shifted from side to side, said rollers being arranged in sueh position that when the switch-points occupy either of their extreme positions one of the switeh-poi'nts will rest upon one of said rollers and the other of said switch-points will be between another of said rollers and its adjacent rail, substan- Il. K. \VI'IIIN'ER. \V i tnesses:

D. II. 'Dinscotn, M. J. RoAei-i. 

